Legislative Successes

North Carolina

HB 943 – Connect NC Bond Act of 2015 – Passed (CAGC Supported)
Carolinas AGC led the efforts to secure legislation that would authorize the issuance of $2 billion of general obligation debt if a majority of voters voting in the March, 2016 primary election vote in favor of the measure. The funds would be used for 14 new construction projects within the UNC system, the constituent institutions of the NC Community College system, grants and loans for local water and wastewater systems, National Guard armory facilities, state parks, and agriculture facilities.

Long-Term Sustainable Funding for Transportation – HB 97 (Budget Act) – Passed (CAGC Supported)
Working with a coalition led by the NC Chamber, CAGC was integral to the success of securing an additional $1.2 billion over the next two years for NC’s transportation network. Additional revenue availability of $708 million is realized by ending the $216 million annual highway fund transfer and by adjustments in DMV fees which will also be indexed in future years. Another $450 million is generated as a result of SB 20 (another CAGC supported effort) that established a floor on the motor fuels tax.

Reinstatement of Historic Preservation Tax Credit – HB 97 (Budget Act) – Passed (CAGC Supported)
Another coalition led effort that CAGC was proud to be a part of resulted in the reinstatement of the historic preservation tax credit that was allowed to expire last year. The Governor and the Director of Cultural Resources traversed the state drumming up local support while partners and stakeholders, like CAGC, lobbied legislators to include the credit in the budget.

HB 136 – Speed Limit/Highway Work Zone - Failed (CAGC Opposed)
This legislation, if enacted, would have provided that the additional $250 penalty imposed for speeding in a highway work zone would have applied only if workers are present and work is actively in progress. CAGC worked hard against this bill and, with the help of Rep. Dean Arp, was able to get this bill amended to a study bill. Although the bill passed on the House floor and in the Senate transportation committee as a study, CAGC was successful in ensuring that even the study bill did not pass. However, this bill is still eligible for consideration in the short session.

HB 482 – Employee Misclassification Reform – Failed. Eligible for Short Session (CAGC Supported)
A series of news stories in the News & Observer, critical of what was characterized as rampant worker misclassification in the construction industry, led to several bills being introduced with the intent of curbing the abuses. HB 482 would have created a Division within the Department of Revenue that would be responsible for investigating misclassification abuse, providing enforcement and levying penalties. Because no other industry was specifically targeted or singled-out more than contractors, CAGC was the only organization working on behalf of commercial contractors to ensure a fair and balanced bill.

Although a coalition of business groups (NC Chamber, Homebuilder’s Association, Retail Merchants Association) ultimately crafted a bill that would have improved enforcement without jeopardizing law-abiding businesses, the legislation was derailed by the newspaper carriers and Federal Express who both wanted exemptions

South Carolina

S.1258, also known as the Roads Bill, was signed into law by Gov. Nikki Haley and lays out a funding plan to begin to address the road and bridge needs of the state. The law also approves a much sought after SCDOT reform plan by members of the legislature and Gov. Haley. As approved, the laws called for $200 million a year to borrow, via bonds, for SCDOT projects through the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank. The money would come from diverting revenue from certain fees collected by the state Department of Motor Vehicles and the revenue from state’s sales taxes on vehicles, which is capped at $300. With the addition of other SCDOT money, the bill would yield $4 billion for road and bridge repairs over the next ten years. Among other things, the bill will allow for the repair of Malfunction Junction in Columbia (I-26, I-20) and the replacement of nearly 400 bridges.

Gov. Nikki Haley signed CAGC supported bill H.4145, the South Carolina Workforce Development Act into law. The legislation creates a Coordinating Council and places the Council under the direction of the Department of Commerce into law. The Coordinating Council Members will consist of: the Secretary of Commerce, the State Superintendent of Education, the Director of the State Technical System, the Director of the Department of Employment and Work Force, and the Director of the Commission of Higher Education. The intent of the bill is to allow dual enrollment and the ability to access money for those who want to go back to school.

S.280, a bill that changes the Contractor’s License Limitations so that it increases both the net worth and the job limitations, not just the limitations, was signed into law by Gov. Nikki Haley. CAGC was instrumental in the passage of this legislation which addressed license limitations and net worth limits for contractors for the first time since the early 90’s.

The legislature approved the Governor’s reappointments of SC Workers’ Comp Commissioners (WCC) Scott Beck, Melody James, and Susan Barden this session. All three reappointments were supported by CAGC. Beck serves as Chairman of the Commission and CAGC was instrumental in the passage of S.975 earlier in the session, which allows the reappointment of a sitting WCC Chairman to serve more than one term. Gov. Haley signed this bill into law earlier in the session.

CAGC was proud to be a part of several groups that worked to block the passage of S.938 which would have allowed for a state level minimum wage increase. CAGC also worked with several other business groups to block the passage of H.4555 that would have repealed the states Right to Work status.

Connect with us

"The advantages of CAGC membership doesn’t apply only to GC’s and sub-contractors. For suppliers, being a member of CAGC will give you a direct line of communication to potential clients / other contractors. Their networking events are selling out all across the Carolinas, and for good reason, they are a blast. CAGC is a top notch, well-run organization and we are proud to call ourselves a member. "
Derrick Morgan
State Utility Contractors